Screenshot 42
Copy text from a screenshot and translate it
Text in an image, an error message, a video or a document that can't be selected? With Screenshot 42 you drag a frame around it and the text lands on the clipboard. Translated between German and English if you like, right on your computer.
- 1 · select the textStart a capture and drag the frame around the text.
- 2 · text iconClick “Copy text only” in the toolbar.
- 3 · checkThe recognised text appears in a window, where you can still change it.
- 4 · EnterThe text is on the clipboard; paste it with Ctrl + V.
Retyping is so last millennium.
Translating a screenshot
The window with the recognised text has a “Translate” button. The program detects the language and translates into the other one, between German and English. The direction is shown at the bottom of the window; one click swaps it. “Original” brings back the original text, and “Copy” always takes the text currently in the window.
Translation happens on your computer. You don't need an account, and the text never leaves the device. Only the first time you translate in each direction does the program download a language model of about 37 MB, once.
Which languages are recognised
- Windows: text is recognised by the text recognition built into Windows, in the languages set up in Windows. If one is missing, add it under Settings › Time & language › Language & region.
- Mac: the text recognition built into the Mac picks the language by itself.
The image is enlarged and sharpened before recognition. Whatever you have drawn on it is ignored, and painted-over spots are not read.
Tips for good results
- Make the text bigger first and select only the text, without much margin or pictures.
- With videos, pause at a still, sharp frame.
- Small or blurry lettering can contain mistakes. That's why the text appears in the window first, before it is copied.
Try Screenshot 42
Free for 28 days, no sign-up, for Windows and Mac. Then buy once from €9, all updates of version 1 included.